Broncos head coach John Fox was released from the hospital Friday after undergoing heart surgery Monday. / Chris Humphreys, USA TODAY Sports

by Lindsay H. Jones, USA TODAY Sports

by Lindsay H. Jones, USA TODAY Sports

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - Denver Broncos head coach John Fox is out of the hospital and continuing his recovery from heart surgery at his home in Charlotte, the team announced Friday.

Fox underwent surgery on Monday to replace the aortic valve in his heart.

Fox released a statement through the Broncos on Friday afternoon in which he thanked his doctors and provided an update on his recovery.

"I am truly thankful for every single thought and prayer that was directed my way. My recovery is progressing well - I am feeling better and getting stronger each day. I will begin the next phase of my recovery in Charlotte and continue outpatient appointments with doctors, who will clear me to return to Denver when the time is right," Fox said in his statement.

"Although I'm eager to return to coaching, my No. 1 focus is my health. I believe in our players and have full confidence in Jack Del Rio and our staff. While it's extremely difficult to be away from the team on Sunday in San Diego, I'll be cheering them on from home just like the many Broncos fans who have supported me throughout this process."

Del Rio, the interim head coach, told the team about Fox's release Friday morning.

"Great news," Del Rio said.

Now that Fox is home, he will be in more frequent contact with his team back in Denver, from Del Rio and the coaching staff to his players. Fox called and left defensive captain Wesley Woodyard a voicemail while Woodyard was meeting with reporters Friday afternoon.

"We're just excited to hear that he's doing well," Woodyard said. "He'll be back soon, and we've just got to go out there and play for him. He wants to be here with us. [San Diego] is his hometown we're going back to, so this will be a big victory for us as well."

Woodyard said he and his fellow team captains have had to assume more of a practical leadership role in Fox's absence, especially since Del Rio's typical game-day duties on defense will be reduced as he pays more attention to the offense and special teams.

Cornerback Champ Bailey, the team's most tenured player and Woodyard's fellow defensive captain, will travel to San Diego despite being ruled out with a foot injury.

"Someone's got to help Jack out," Bailey said, laughing.

Bailey is the only injured player who has been ruled out against the Chargers. Starting strong safety Duke Ihenacho is listed as questionable with an ankle injury. Ihenacho did not practice Wednesday or Thursday but was limited on Friday.

All of Denver's offensive players are listed as probable or better, including receiver Wes Welker, who missed a practice earlier this week, and tight end Julius Thomas, who suffered a sprained ankle in Denver's Week 7 game against Washington.

Thomas would not have been able to play last week had the Broncos not been on their bye.